The problem of paying the bills

Former NFL Man of the Year Reggie Williams estimates that health problems stemming from his playing career have cost him at least $500,000 out of pocket. How much of that should be the NFL’s responsibility?

Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Reggie Williams stretches out his damaged right knee and leg at his home in Orlando. Williams, who played in two Super Bowls with the Bengals, has had 24 knee operations.John McDonnell/The Washington Post

Nearly nine in 10 retired NFL players surveyed report playing games while hurt, and more than half say they played through pain equally to satisfy coaches and because they wanted to. Roughly seven in 10 players who retired since 2000 say they took the pain drug Toradol, with most saying they used it regularly to ward off pain they anticipated during football games.